Archive for the ‘Asteroids and Myths’ Category

SUNSET CONJUNCTION: When the sun goes down on Sunday, April 26, step outside and look west. An exquisitely-slender crescent Moon is lining up with Mercury and the Pleiades star cluster for a three-way conjunction in the sunset sky.

UNEXPECTED SOLAR ACTIVITY: The sun produced an unexpected burst of activity on April 23 when an enormous prominence rose over the northeastern limb and erupted. A coronal mass ejection (CME) billowed away from the blast site, but the billion-ton cloud is not heading toward Earth.

Well, April 26’s Moon-Mercury-Pleaides conjunction at Sunset sounds lovely visually and astronomically – but perhaps not as lovely astrologically due to the mythology of the Pleiades.

Plus, first view of the slender Crescent Moon begins the Lunar Calendar month in the East.

The Pleiades is a small cluster of 7 stars which takes up less than one degree in the heavens (about the width of one finger) at the end of the zodiac’s sign of Taurus, the Bull.

There are centuries’ worth of myths associated with the Pleiades, aka the ‘Seven Sisters,’ and themes for the cluster vary slightly: ‘a Narrow Cloudy Trail of Female Stars (Manilius), the Seven Sisters of Industry (China), the children of Atlas, the seven daughters of Pleione, and the seven doves who took Zeus his divine ambrosia.

The Celts (my clan for the most part) link them to the Fates and the achronycal rising of the Pleiades marked their month of mourning for lost friends. (This relates to the first of our month of November which pre-echoes what we now call Halloween, and Nov 1 which some call, All Saints Day.)

In India, the Pleiades myth was linked with seven mothers who judged men and could wound them with their moon-shaped razors, if so judged.

Crescent Moon (symbol of the Middle East), Mercury, and the Pleiades…Iran’s lady captive, Roxanna Saberi, set free perhaps? (Moon is out-of-bounds of the earthly plane and having to manage on her own for now….sign petition below.)

In ancient Greece, the stars of the Pleiades were part of a cult of Aphrodite who gave birth to seven daughters only to turn them into a flock of doves which became the seven stars of the Pleides. The leader of the doves was dove-goddess Alcyone, who brings good weather for the planting season.

Nowadays Alcyone is positioned at 00Gem00 Gemini, and the star’s keywords are ‘something to cry about’ (‘Horary Astrology’, Anthony Louis.)

This difficult star is associated with exile and suffering; water and/or flooding may be connected as well with sorrow ensuing.

Hopefully, the Crescent Moon and Mercury at Sunset on April 26 amongst the beautiful stars of the Pleiades will bring the world dried-up tears and joyful ambrosia sans sadness!

ASC 6Sco52, Sun 6Tau52…’7 Taurus’…’A Woman of Samaria Comes to Draw Water from Jacob’s Well.’ (‘360 Degrees of the Zodia’ by Lynda Hill.)

Hour of Jupiter (23AQ23 – 4th house with Chiron and Neptune 26AQ12), Moon 1Gem43 just barely into 7th house with Mercury 27Tau06 conj Fixed Star Algol, a star with one of the more vicious reputations in the sky.

At Midheaven (MC) of the Sunset chart set for DC is 13Leo30 which displays Pres. Obama’s natal Sun position.

The 5th house line-up of Uranus 25Pis00, Venus 00Ari46 (AP), and Mars 3Ari25 have asteroid Atlantis there also at Aries Point…keywords for Atlantis: ‘where we feel doomed; abuse of power.’

Venus and chart-ruler Mars are engaged in an ‘opportunity aspect’ (sextile = 60 degr) with the Moon in Gemini, sign of travel, esp air flights, and I pray that all captives may be returned soon to their sorrowing families as world leaders’ accustomed ‘abuse of power’ be transcended by doing what’s right for a change!

But now there is that lonely, unaspected Saturn 15Vir15 Rx, 10th house, acting as the ‘bucket’s handle’ once again but with Luna on the verge of ‘spilling out’ of the bucket and meeting up with transiting Midas 7Gem50 Direct in 8th house…could this indicate ransom money being paid for a certain detained lady?

And on another level a Moon-Midas contact could indicate more relating to our current financial issues (8th house) as money (Midas) is made available to the people (Moon.)

Well, bring it on – it was ours to begin with!

All in all, I’d say that April 26’s celestial display has more meaning in the Lunar Calendar than in our Solar-based world…because most of the info we get from our culture concerning such celestial events is simply ‘lovely.’

Have you any thoughts on the subject?

~:~

‘Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars’ available at Amazon Books; Saturn as bucket handle explained more fully by the excellent John Townley at AstroCocktail, if you’re thirsty.

As you know, a New Moon is the beginning of a fresh cycle, and Feb 24’s New Moon 6Pis35, occurs in Washington DC at 8:35 pm est, with asteroid Cupido Rx and rising 9Lib45.

Cupido is a multi-purpose Uranian planet with a double Libra quality so we expect its influence to be strong while in the sign of Libra.

Associated with the Roman god Cupid, close relationships, the family – and The Family as in ‘syndicate’ – are related to this esoteric point. Other keywords are : Corporations, sociability, and harmony. (‘New Insights into Astrology’ by Nona Gwynn Press.)

With chart-ruler Venus in lusty Aries, conjunct Descendant (partnerships; legal affairs) and opposing Cupido, we may expect some relationship stand-offs to enter a new phase.

There is but one planetary pattern in the New Moon chart (if you generously allow MC which is a public outlet for the Venusian energy here) so we have:

Venus-ASC = MC: a sense of beauty.

Perhaps Art will take centerstage in some way but we can’t discount the Family/Corporations connection to Cupido with a Venusian influence which may be beautiful – or, if scorned – may be vengeful.

If so, the revenge is affecting testy Mars 15AQ52, conjunct some heavy-weight asteroids which you see marked in the lower right corner. One is Tisiphone, keyword: retaliation.

Health is another flavor in the chart with gold-lover Midas 7Gem33 sitting upon 9th cusp (and finally Direct which doesn’t happen often! Let go the money, bankers), conjunct asteroid Hygeia which parallels MC (similar to a strong conjunction and useful for timing purposes.)

Moon-ruled Panacea is Rx and conjunct MC so perhaps bromides may be applied to our sour health care system as the light of this Moon increases and Washington politicians come up with A Plan.

Pisces has health connotations as well through ruler Jupiter and co-ruler Neptune as a leaking effect may complicate things or indicate difficult-to-diagnose conditions. Plus, Pisces is opposite the sign of health, Virgo, whose body part is the bowels and relates to purification issues.

One thing we know: our health care system is in tatters, toxic, and definitely in a difficult-to-diagnose state!

Now since I’m looking at the chart set for Washington DC, I’ll mention the ‘radical political reformers’ midpoint of Uranus-Chiron which is being triggered by the New Moon.

Asteroid Ceres (nurturing; food; security) is Rx 7Vir13 in 11th house and opposing the New Moon.

Here are the midpoint pictures from the chart which, as usual, may apply in an ‘any, all, or none’ fashion – some of them lend support to what I’ve said above….

Uranus-Pluto = Mercury: new ideas and plans, all for a new perspective; intense thought activity.

So! Take your vitamins, eat your veggies, create something new, appreciate your partner, meditate, look before you leap, and accept nothing at face value during the dark of this New Moon in fanciful, creative, hard-to-pin down Pisces!

And check out Truthdig’s article on health care reform as it relates to Capitol Hill:

Born in Monterey, California to a restaurant family, you don’t need a correct birth time for Leon Panetta to see that he is a double Cancer with Sun and Moon in the sign of family, comfort food, and Security issues.

You may wish to read more of my Astrology notes on Panetta’s natal chart here including his Sun Cancer-Moon Cancer persoanlity blend:

A Washington insider from way back, Mr. Panetta served under Bill Clinton most memorably as Chief of Staff although he was Director of the Office for Civil Rights for a time during the Nixon administration.

Checking 1938 for his Pre-Natal Eclipse Series (PE), we find that he was born into the 12 South Series which last manifested June 30, 1992 (9Can) and next occurs July 11, 2010 (19Can.)

Panetta’s PE occurred May 29, 1938 at 7Gem31 – where Midas has been transiting last year and this. Asteroid Midas retrogrades a lot so ‘he’ tends to hang out in one spot of the zodiac for quite a while, counting all his hoarded gold and cornering the market.

(See post on the backwardation of gold – it’s all bought up as of Dec 2, 2008…no gold for you. But soup-lines we got with more on the way.)

If you follow the above link you’ll find Panetta’s major midpoint picture (which applies no matter his hour of birth) with Jupiter, Pluto, and Uranus in the mix – and radical reformer Uranus is conjunct his natal Midas (17Tau) – I neglected to note this in the above-linked post.

Now the 12S Eclipse Series is the also the PE of:

Harry Truman, the Statue of Liberty (Aug 8, 1884), Nixon’s resignation (Aug 8, 1974), Miley Cyrus, and the United States of America.

That’s some crew, isn’t it? America does seem to resonate quite closely with Miley – and with Richard Nixon’s resignation. Oh – and we’re fond of the Statue of Liberty, too – once we got accustomed to having her about the place.

In Retrospect Update 3.14.11: after finally viewing ‘Inside Job’ about Financial Collapse 2008 last evening and what led up to it, I thought to Google the date of the topic below, the Super Moon of December 12, 2008. What I found is a list of headlines from Democracy Now! which may interest you in tandem with the Mutable Grand Cross which held the Super Moon ensnared in Dec 2008.

For context, it was on October 4, 2008 that G. W. Bush signed a $700 billion bailout bill on behalf of Big Banks. Afterwards, global stock markets continued to fall, the tide of layoffs reached tsunami levels, and foreclosures rippled faster and faster through previously peaceful residential canyons like a furious storm.

As you know, the Moon in a Mundane or Political horoscope signifies The People (the populace; the masses; the public mood; publicity) so with that in mind, please check out the events of December 12, 2008. I hope you weren’t losing your job or your home on that date – or on any other. Jude

My original, unrevised post begins here:

December 12, 2008’s Full Moon is perigee, or at its closest approach to earth, and appears unusually bright and large – a ‘Super Moon.’

As you know, the orbits of heavenly bodies are elliptical thus resulting in times of perigee and apogee.

Here’s a link to a good resource with photos and charts that explain and reveal this Super Moon in more detail:

Astrologically, let’s consider more details on the Grand Cross which the Full Moon is involved in with the Saturn-Uranus opposition.

A Mutable Grand Cross (Gem/Sag; Vir/Pis) consists of two oppositions (180 degr) which square (90 degr) one another. This is a dynamic pattern, yet the unstable, changeable Mutable quality is problematic – there is a karmic lesson which must be resolved.

Sun ’22Sag’ is conjunct and highlighting asteroid, Astraea, whose keywords are: ‘law and justice’ but whose name also relates to the starry firmament, and is often linked to Astrology or astrologers.

Friction, strain, and pressure:

Under this Grand Cross (aka Grand Square) we may find ourselves indecisive and unable to concentrate; over-adaptive adjustments may be made to external situations which are not in our best interests.

Restlessness and mental alertness are heightened which may be useful in creative and communications-related projects. And a sharper social awareness is possible under its Mutable influence.

Since oppositions always indicate partnership-relationship issues, this pattern’s tensions result in uncertainties and worries which can create unreliability in unions.

The ‘karmic lessons’ may be in this area as well as in communications, thinking (Gem) and Philosophy and What One Truly Seeks (Sag.) In natal charts, the House polarities where the pattern falls shows where lessons are begging to be resolved.

Because of the Mutable energies involved, apprehensions and nervous strains can deplete vitality so Still Your Mind…running in mental circles should be avoided if possible, plus, you may wish to avoid folks who have respiratory infections. It’s also possible to experience the return of a cold or flu that had seemed to be conquered, so bundle up, baby, and try to rest as much as possible!

With concentration and focus in short supply for now, plans tend to be initiated inconsistently and unmethodically, so if you’re planning a new project, it would be wise to postpone its beginning until a more stable and propitious time.

Otherwise and externally, it’s a Full Moon of splendor which culminates something begun at the last New Moon at Thanksgiving in America, and which manifested at ‘6Sag’…Sabian Symbol: “A Game of Cricket.”

Today’s Sun Sag-Moon Gem is the Eternal Youth combo of the witty literary genius who’s versatile and restless…this blend has a way with words and is shared natally by:

Image for Integration: ‘Robin Hood as a young boy plays truant from school to go to his archery lesson, but ends up teaching his card tricks to his master.’ (‘Sun Sign-Moon Sign’ by Charles & Suzi Harvey.)

A President Obama faces many hurdles as we in America know – we’re the ones suffering from the last several years of Republican “leadership.” So you might find this article with a European view of his challenges of interest:

Meanwhile in the heavens, asteroid Hopi is lined up with the transiting North Node (the Head of the Dragon, the path or destiny) at 13AQ. This will be in effect on November 12 when Venus and Pluto conjunct although Venus will still be out-of-bounds and able to act on her own without interference – and possibly – in an outstanding way.) Venus represents values, relationships, art, culture, and money (usually smaller amounts, with larger amounts being in Jupiter’s realm and untold riches in Pluto’s.)

Venus-Pluto contacts may indicate karmic emotional involvements, intense passion, possible rape or sexual indulgence, dramatic and transformative art and music; plus, their connection can have a tinge of bankruptcy to it. Their conjunction takes place at 12:54 am est at 29Sag32 in Washington, and occurs in the 4th house when the chart is set for the White House.

Mars/Pluto = ASC: showing the hero image; the fighter who dares the impossible; aggression; daring and temerity; the desire to face danger; an accident. (Tyl; Ebertin.) Any, all, or none may apply.

And Venus to Pluto in 4th house may relate to the ongoing mortgage crisis and to a large amount of money changing hands…being ‘gifted’ perhaps. Issues of blackmail and ransom money cannot be ruled out.

At the Venus/Pluto conj, Sun 165 degrees 49 mins Moon, so they are in a quindecile aspect of obsession-compulsion – security is sought through recognition; there can be a lack of objectivity, along with self-centeredness which is oblivious to the rest of the world. (‘Quindecile’ by Ricki Reeves.)

Hope for Hopi?

In Astrology, Hopi’s keywords are ‘ambush’ and ‘prejudice’ and of course, it sounds like HOPE, a word we’ve heard a lot lately – and much needed. The asteroid’s heliocentric North Node is 18/19Cancer, and Pluto’s NN is 19/20 Cancer.

~:~This may be why, as I’ve wondered aloud previously, ’19Can’ turns up in many of the charts I’ve studied related to violent events or murder. Pluto and Hopi’s NNs may answer my question (whether Castor and Pollux are involved in the case or not.) And Saturn’s heliocentric NN is 23/24Can.

As you know, the Hopi tribe of southeastern North America is famous for carving Kachina dolls, with the word ‘Kachina’ meaning ‘God.’

Kachina dolls are used in traditional Hopi ceremonies which they continue to hold on behalf of the entire human race. So Thanks, Peaceful People! (‘Hopi’ is short for Hopituh Shi-nu-mu which means ‘Peaceful People’ or ‘Peaceful Little Ones.’ They are, as you may imagine, anti-war, as is this blogger.)

Hopi beliefs are tied in with the Pleiades constellation (‘the seven sisters’) and they consider themselves to be direct descendants from the Pleiadians. Petraglyphs are found across the southeast and relate to the mystic Hopis’ astronomical focus with discs of light appearing on many of them. The Hopi have an intricate ceremonial calendar and are possibly related to the Aztecs of Mexico…star-gazers all!

Thunderstorms on the way here but I wanted quickly to give you a heads-up that my post on Sarah Palin’s natal chart has been freshened with additions of her natal midpoint pictures, and with her natal asteroids of power: Hidalgo, Toro, and Atlantis.

In Case You Missed: if you’re in the mood for some big surprises concerning America and the ‘new world order’ please check under the ‘articles’ category for ‘Planet Earth As Weapon and Target’ by Leuren Moret.

The March Planetary Illuminations report is now posted and you can read it in its entirety here. If you are on my mailing list you will soon receive a simplified version of the report which is in plain English and easy to understand. If you’re not on my mailing list, please sign up in the [Read More...]

In response to a few questions I had from readers after other astrologers wrote about the New Moon being in Pisces, I thought it would be useful to discuss the idea of the “cusp.” This is one of those concepts about which you can read a myriad of different opinions from very reputable astrologers. The cusp [Read More...]

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned a joint session of Congress on Tuesday that a potential deal with Iran will not prevent the country from securing nuclear weapons, threatening “the…Click to Continue »